Keith Morris was their original lead singer. He left the band suddenly in 1979 to form the well-known band, Circle Jerks. Ron Reyes was the second singer for the band, but decided to leave the band not too long after. Dez Cadena would be their next singer, but switched to second guitar when they found fourth and final singer Henry Rollins in Washington D.C. in 1981.
While Black Flag were - and remain - very respected among their underground culture, their music has not been the stylistic model one might expect, in spite of their formidable reputation. Rather, their influence was seen primarily in their tireless promotion of a self-controlled DIY aesthetic. They're often regarded as pioneers in the movement of underground do-it-yourself record labels that flourished among the 1980s' punk rock bands.
Over the course of the 1980s, Black Flag's sound, as well as their notoriety, evolved in ways that alienated much of their early punk audience. They were part of the first wave of American West Coast punk rock, are considered a key influence on Punk culture band, and are especially important in the creation of hardcore punk. Their later sound, however, was often reminiscent of proto-heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath.
The band broke up in August 1986, when Greg Ginn decided to quit.
Through seemingly-constant touring throughout the USA and Canada, and occasionally Europe, Black Flag established an extremely dedicated fan base. Many other musicians would follow Black Flag's lead and book their own tours, utilizing a word-of-mouth, grass-roots network.
On January 25, 2013, it was announced that guitarist Greg Ginn and vocalist Ron Reyes would reform Black Flag, joined by Gregory Moore on drums, and 'Dale Nixon' on bass (Dale Nixon is a pseudonym sometimes used by Ginn, most prominently as the bassist on My War). The band will tour as well as release a new album, their first since 1985's In My Head. In March of that year, it was announced that Screeching Weasel bassist Dave Klein joined the band. On May 2, 2013, the band released a new song entitled "Down in the Dirt" through their website.
Around the same time, it was announced that the lineup that played at GV 30, Morris, Dukowski, Stevenson and Egerton, would tour performing Black Flag songs, under the name FLAG. It was later announced that the lineup would be joined by Dez Cadena.
Out Of This World
Black Flag Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lyrics to Black Flag's song "Out of This World" are somewhat ambiguous, but seem to describe a journey away from the everyday world into something more mysterious and otherworldly. The lines "I'm out of this world and I'm never comin' back" and "Ever since that day by the side of the road I got a smile on my face and I'm never coming to" suggest that the singer has experienced some kind of transformative event and has decided to leave their old life behind. The song mentions a girl who killed the singer "by the side of the road," which could indicate a literal accident or a more metaphorical encounter that led to the singer's enlightenment.
The lines "Lucifer got a hold of me... said... gonna set you free" suggest that the singer has had some kind of spiritual or occult experience, possibly involving Satan or other supernatural forces. The singer seems to be searching for something after their transformation, whether it's the sun, the source of life in our physical world, or something more abstract. The song is somewhat fractured and disjointed, with lines repeated and jumbled together, which could indicate that the singer's thoughts and perceptions have been similarly disrupted by their experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm out of this world and I'm never comin' back
I have left this world and have no intention of returning.
Ever since that day by the side of the road
Since the event that occurred on the side of the road, my life has been forever altered.
I got a smile on my face and I'm never coming to never coming to never coming to
Despite my departure, I am content and resolved never to return.
I'm leaving today and I'm never coming back
I am departing from this world today and will never return.
Killed by a girl by the side of the road
A girl on the side of the road caused my death.
I'm out cold and I'm never coming to
I am unconscious and have no intention of regaining consciousness.
I love I love I love I love I love I love I never love I never love I never never never never what I mean to say
I express affection, but I am unable to express what I truly mean.
What I tried to say is that I never never got my way
I attempted to convey that I never achieved my desires.
Lucifer got a hold of me... said... gonna set you free
The devil has taken control of me and promised to release me from my suffering.
Now I'm lookin' for the sun lookin' for the sun hope the... dried in the sun lookin' for the sun
I am searching for the warmth and light of the sun, hoping to find healing amidst the desolation of my surroundings.
Someone took me for a joyride Led me straight into a ditch
Someone took me on a reckless journey and ultimately led me to disaster.
...double time working machine I had a big bad plan it was a real cool dream
I had ambitious plans and aspirations, working relentlessly towards achieving them, but they ultimately proved disastrous.
suckin' on a little red rock by the side of the road
I am consuming some sort of drug or substance by the side of the road.
...up in a puddle of blood ...save my soul
I am lying in a pool of my own blood and desperately seeking salvation for my soul.
I'm out cold and I'm never coming to
I am unconscious and have no intention of regaining consciousness.
I'm out cold and I'm never coming to
I am unconscious and have no intention of regaining consciousness.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN WILLIAM STEVENSON, KIRA LYNN ROESSLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheErikRamone
LYRICS:
I'm out of this world
And I'm never comin' back
Ever since that day by the side of the road
I got a smile on my face and i'm
Never coming to
Never coming to
Never coming to
[Verse
I'm leaving today and I'm never coming back
Killed by a girl by the side of the road
I'm out cold and I'm never coming to
I'm out cold and I'm never coming..
I love I love I love I love I love I love
I never love I never love I never never never never
What I mean to say
What I tried to say
Is that I never never got my way
[Hook x2]
[Verse]
Lucifer got a hold of me ...
Said ... gonna set you free
I'm out cold and I'm never coming to
I'm out cold and I'm never coming..
Now I'm lookin' for the sun
Lookin' for the sun
Hope the ... dried in the sun lookin' for the sun
Someone took me for a joyride
Led me straight into a ditch
[Hook x2]
[Verse]
... double time working machine
I had a big bad plan it was a real cool dream
I'm out cold and I'm never coming to
I'm out cold and I'm never coming..
... suckin' on a little red rock
By the side of the road
... up in a puddle of blood
... save my soul
@johnplank1504
This song is so fuckin’ solid. Yeah. One of the best Flag tunes & I argue it to my grave.
@TheErikRamone
LYRICS:
I'm out of this world
And I'm never comin' back
Ever since that day by the side of the road
I got a smile on my face and i'm
Never coming to
Never coming to
Never coming to
[Verse
I'm leaving today and I'm never coming back
Killed by a girl by the side of the road
I'm out cold and I'm never coming to
I'm out cold and I'm never coming..
I love I love I love I love I love I love
I never love I never love I never never never never
What I mean to say
What I tried to say
Is that I never never got my way
[Hook x2]
[Verse]
Lucifer got a hold of me ...
Said ... gonna set you free
I'm out cold and I'm never coming to
I'm out cold and I'm never coming..
Now I'm lookin' for the sun
Lookin' for the sun
Hope the ... dried in the sun lookin' for the sun
Someone took me for a joyride
Led me straight into a ditch
[Hook x2]
[Verse]
... double time working machine
I had a big bad plan it was a real cool dream
I'm out cold and I'm never coming to
I'm out cold and I'm never coming..
... suckin' on a little red rock
By the side of the road
... up in a puddle of blood
... save my soul
@sabredivision509
Erik Dvan you just earned a sub
@jasondankenbring1710
Thanks for doing this, but you missed a little bit here and there. I'm not doing it though, so thanks again.
@tacomantis505
You forgot a few lines, but yeah that's pretty close.
@tacomantis505
"Come with me boy I'm going to set you free" and "looking for the son of God"
@lesliemartinez4700
This has to be 1 of my favorite songs,ever !!!! It gets me through the day, when things are going not to we'll
My neighbors have never complained,... Cos I crank that motherfucker!!!! X
@Dhieen
I love the beginning of this song, and the bass coming
@TheErikRamone
Best Black Flag song
@sabredivision509
Erik Dvan its not fair to choose